Louisiana Land & Exploration Co. (LL&E), New Orleans, is preparing to start snubbing operations at its 3-36 Big Horn well in Freemont County, Wyo.
The Madden field well, in 36-39n-91w in the Madden Deep Unit, blew out and caught fire Apr. 22. Gas has since been diverted to sales at a rate of about 5 MMcfd (OGJ, May 11, p. 36). The gas goes to Colorado Interstate Gas Co.'s pipeline system.
The blowout occurred as LL&E was pressure testing the top of a 7-3/4 liner set from about 19,000 to 22,750 ft. Cause of the accident has not been determined. There were no casualties.
Boots & Coots Inc., Houston, led well control operations with the help of LL&E and Parker Drilling Co. personnel and was able to remove Parker's new Rig 202 from the blazing hole on the third try, It was the rig's first assignment.
LL&E said weather conditions were ideal for bringing the well under control because wind dispersed the flames, and Boots & Coots was able to use water to dowse the fire Apr. 30.
The blowout preventer was removed and a new stack and diverter were added. The team was able to divert gas to the flare stack May 1, and gas sales began May 4.
The company plans to continue gas sales throughout snubbing operations, but the ultimate objective is to kill the well and evaluate future operations. More will be known about the cause of the blowout once LL&E is able to evaluate downhole conditions.
Projected depth is 25,000 ft to test the Mississippian Madison. Gas is believed to be coming from the Cretaceous Frontier.
Parker's Rig 202, an OIME3000, is not a total loss.
Tom Wingerter, Parker vice-president of North American operations, said while the mast, substructure, traveling equipment, drawworks, and rotary table are being declared a total loss, other equipment such as mud pumps, control houses, and mud pits can be salvaged.
He would not estimate the value of the loss.
Copyright 1992 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
